Hawking urges EU not to stop stem cell funding

Renowned British scientist Stephen Hawking has spoken out against the European Union states that are today pushing for a ban on funding for research into human embryonic stem cells.

Prof Hawking, who has motor neurone disease, said the EU should not follow the "reactionary lead" of the US president, George Bush, who last week used his power of veto to scupper a controversial bill that would have lifted a ban on US federal funding for stem cell research. The academic, who is Lucasian professor of mathematics at the University of Cambridge, said ahead of today's crucial European Council meeting: "Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor neurone disease from which I and many others suffer. The fact that the cells may come from embryos is not an objection, because the embryos are going to die anyway.

"It is morally equivalent to taking [away the potential for] a heart transplant from a victim in a car accident."

Prof Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, said he was "pleased" that "people are now using stem cells for motor neurone disease, but I'm not holding my breath".

His comments add weight to the arguments against the move by eight EU states, including Germany, which were this afternoon hoping to secure a vote to halt continuing EU funding for stem cell research on surplus embryos from fertility treatment.

Germany, with the support of Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Malta, Luxembourg, Austria and Lithuania are hoping to muster the 90 votes they need to block support for embryonic stem cell research from the European framework programme of funding. The decision was originally expected this morning, but was postponed until after lunch as the council members attempted to reach a compromise.

Earlier today, Lord Rees, president of the Royal Society, also urged the EU states not to join the US in the "slow lane on stem cell research".

He said a ban would "hinder the global race to develop therapies which would benefit millions of people".

In a letter to the science minister Lord Sainsbury, who will represent the UK at today's council meeting, he wrote: "While a ban on the use of European framework support would not prevent national funding for this research, it would still deliver another big blow to the hopes of patients worldwide.

"It may also encourage researchers to look outside the EU to carry out important work on human embryonic stem cells."

Lord Rees is backed by David Spearman, chairman of the European Academies Science Advisory Council, who has made a similar appeal. Previously, the European parliament committee on industry, research and energy agreed that European funding should be allowed for embryonic stem cell research on embryos left over from fertility treatments in countries where it was permitted.

However, no country within the EU was obliged to undertake or permit such research if it did not wish to.

Embryonic stem cells are unprogrammed "mother cells" taken from early stage embryos that can potentially develop into any tissue in the body.